“With Love From Lucy”

An Ingham couple has turned tragedy into positivity by initiating a project to bring much needed seating to Ingham’s Apex Park in memory of their late daughter, Lucy.

When Lucy Margaret Campbell was born on 16 February 2024, joy was quickly followed by confusion and fear. Complications during the birth resulted in admission to NICU at the Townsville University Hospital, where it was confirmed that Lucy had suffered severe brain damage, incompatible with life. On 24 February 2024, Lucy peacefully died in her parents’ arms in the hospital’s Federation Gardens.

Following Lucy’s death, parents Alex Meehan and Alex Campbell searched for meaning in her short life, and like many bereaved parents, a way to remember her.

“We would often see kids playing in the park near our house, where parents would sit on the edge of the soft-fall area surrounding the playground equipment with nowhere more comfortable to sit, eat or just watch their kids. It seemed wrong that this beautiful park didn’t have somewhere for people to sit comfortably,” Lucy’s father, Alex Campbell, said.

Lucy’s mother, Alex Meehan, agreed, “We would have taken Lucy to the park and enjoyed watching her play, and we thought other parents might be encouraged to take their children there, if there was somewhere nice to sit down.”

The couple contacted their local council to seek support for some new seating at the site.  As with all things involving government departments, there is a process that needs to be followed, but after jumping through a few hoops, Council executives were briefed with all the relevant details and in-principle support provided by Council.

Hinchinbrook Shire Councillor Donna Marbelli warmly welcomed the project, highlighting its positive impact on the community.

“Council is proud to support projects like this that enhance our public spaces and provide meaningful benefits to our community. The new seating at Apex Park not only offers a practical improvement for families but also serves as a touching tribute to Lucy’s memory. This project is a testament to the strength and generosity of the Hinchinbrook community, and we are grateful to have been part of it.”

The Apex Club of Herbert River became aware of the project and was keen for the Apex Club to be involved since the park in question is named in honour of Apex.  Apex Club president, Michael Nash said, “The Apex club is always looking for worthy causes to support locally, and given this would benefit young families within the Herbert River District, we were only too happy to help out by sponsoring the picnic table and shelter.”

Following further public consultation with councillors and the community, Hinchinbrook Shire Council approved the project via Council resolution and the Council’s Parks and Gardens team installed the picnic table and shelter on behalf of the community.

“Lucy’s name means 'bringer of light', so it was only fitting that the shelter was a bright, beautiful yellow,” Alex Meehan remarked.

Alex and Alex also contributed funds to supply the memorial plaque, which includes a quote from Kay Redfield Jamison:

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”

“Play is such an important part of a child’s development growing, and we wanted parents to be encouraged and remember that when life gets busy, to take a moment and just enjoy watching their children explore and grow through play,” Alex Meehan said.

“That’s how we keep Lucy’s memory alive, through other children enjoying their childhood and having space and facilities to play. It’s our hope that the new seating and table in Apex Park allows families to enjoy just one of the many beautiful parks in the region even more,” explained Alex Campbell.